TRAINING  & CREDIBILITY
 
Bob Elkin has been entertaining children and collecting smiles since 1983, starting his career as “Waki the Wizard” an award winning Shrine Clown, with over 45 awards for costume, make up, skits and balloon sculpturing. Bob is still an active member of the Egypt Shrine Center Clown Unit. Bob started his professional training in the early 90’s at the University of Wisconsin Clown College at LaCrosse attending for 3 years. SANTA Bob started his career in 1993, performing for his granddaughters day-care school, and has been entertaining as Santa since.

In August 2005 Santa Bob completed the International University of Santa Claus school. Bob was one of only a few Santas from Florida to attend the first ever International convention held in July 2006 in Branson Missouri. The Convention had over 520 Santas, Mrs Claus, and elves registered,  presented 27 workshops on everything from the History of Santa, Santa Ethics, Malls & Marketing, Storytelling plus a Keynote address from Chris Byrne, the TOY GUY with all the new toys for ’06.

In May of 2005, Santa Bob became a volunteer for SANTA-AMERICA, the national organization with the mission of providing Santa visits all 12 months of the year to Hospice patients and their families. Bob completed the necessary volunteer training with LifePath Hospice in September 2005. Santa Bob attended two days of Santa-America Hospice Visit workshops held in conjunction with and prior to the start of the July AORBS convention. Learn more about Santa-America at Santa-America.org

Santa Bob is covered by a $2,000,000 liability insurance policy, a Certificate of Insurance is available upon request. Santa Bob is also covered by a clear Criminal Background Check, from the State of Florida, again a copy of same is available on request. Bob Elkin served for eight years as the volunteer Chairman for Shriners Hospitals For Children, for the Egypt Shrine Center jurisdiction of seven West Central Florida counties.

Bob Elkin has lived in the Tampa Bay area since 1971, is married to Jody, has four children, 6 grandchildren and a first, a great grandchild expected in December of 2006! 

              Additional references are available on request.